c. How Old/Tall Your Children Should Be for Walt Disney World
By Dave Shute
How Old/Tall Your Children Should Be What if They’re Too Short/Young?
“While every child is different, in general this guidance is dead on.” –David C. MD, Pediatrician, former Chief Resident, Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital
OVERVIEW
If this will be your kids’ only childhood visit, as of your arrival date at Walt Disney World, your youngest child should be 8 or 9 or older, and your shortest child should be at least 48 inches tall.
See What if They’re Too Short/Young? if you just aren’t waiting til then.
Children of any height or age can enjoy Walt Disney World. However, this site assumes that you are not sure whether or not you will ever be returning for another visit.
Because you may not be returning, your children should be old enough, 8-9 years old or older, and tall enough, 48″ tall or taller, to fully enjoy Walt Disney World on what may be their only childhood visit.
HOW OLD YOUR CHILDREN SHOULD BE FOR WALT DISNEY WORLD
Walt Disney World is not designed for children. It is designed for children and their parents. One of Walt Disney’s original visions for Disneyland–the model for Walt Disney World–was to build a place where he could have as much fun as his daughters.
As a result much of the best of Walt Disney World has a level of sophistication, and a set of physical and emotional demands, that will elude, or worse, overwhelm children younger than 8 or 9–third graders.
Third graders, on the other hand, are making the transition from primary school to higher abilities to experience and interpret the world. They typically are substantially ahead of younger children in independence, personal responsibility, physical stamina, attention, and memory.
Moreover, they typically are open to suggestion, risks, and new adventures.* Consequently, third graders are much more capable than younger children of appreciating a place that they possibly may not see again until they bring their own families.
A couple of notes:
- The real issue is physical, emotional, and cognitive development, not chronological age. Some children will be ahead of, or behind, a typical chronological developmental schedule. Evaluate your child, and since you need to make plans at least 180 days in advance, you will need to do a little forecasting, not only on the developmental side, but also on height (see below.) It is better to delay your trip a year than to bring your child too immature or too short for their only visit.
- On the other hand, there is a price break for children younger than ten at the time you check in. Children younger than 10 are about $350+ less expensive over the recommended trip than children older than 10. (See What to Budget.)
- The core issue is your child’s ability to enjoy the best Walt Disney World has to offer on what might be their only childhood visit.
HOW TALL YOUR CHILDREN SHOULD BE FOR WALT DISNEY WORLD
Height is more straightforward.
Many rides at Walt Disney World–including many of the best–have minimum height requirements, usually determined by features of a ride’s safety system: its seat belts and such.
Some height requirements also serve as a proxy for sufficient maturity to not be emotionally overwhelmed by the “scary” aspects of a ride.
Seventeen major Walt Disney World theme park rides have minimum height requirements, of which the “highest” requirement is 48 inches.
So a child who will be 48 inches tall at the time of his or her visit will be able to experience all rides at the theme parks. A child who is 44 inches tall can experience all but two.
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79 comments
Dave,
We are flying in on Saturday April 26th. Our flight leaves at 9am and gets in at 1:30pm. We leave the morning of the 30th. I am a single mom of a 9, 8 and 2 year old and I am bringing my 16 year old sitter with us.We are doing a suite at the new Art of Animation resort. I know you do not reccommend doing the Magic Kingdom that first night but this will be my 7th trip and my older kiddo’s 4th. Knowing the magic that is there it is hard to stay away. We are doing 4 day hopper passes. What would you suggest our plan of action be that first night for rides/dining/parade?
Hi, if this isn’t your first trip, then park order doesn’t much matter and you should do what makes sense for you! Right now the 26th has a parade at 9 and Wishes at 10. I’d bet that an 11p parade will be added–so I’d do some rides first–check out FastPass+, you’ll get more good rides than you think–and then do the 9.30 castle show, 10p Wishes, and 11p parade!
Thanks Dave! Also I wanted to mention for first timers I would recommend renting a stroller from a local company. They deliver it to your hotel and.pick up from there at the end of the trip. This way you have the stroller to get to the entrance of the park and all the way to the bus. When using the monorail you dont even have to fold it up. I believe I paid $40 for four days for a double stroller last January. It was a life saver and much easier then bringing one from home.
Great point, unless you need a stroller at the airport too..
Hi! My husband and I are taking our boys Feb 2-8. Our oldest is 3 1/2 and 41 inches tall. Our baby is only 14 months. Are there a decent amount of rides that the baby will be able to sit on our lap for? Should we choose our fast passes before we go? I haven’t been since I was 9. Hoping to take our boys once a year!
Ashyln, I focus on kids 8 and older, so don’t have much to offer you. Check in with Kuleen? http://thedisneykids.com/
Hello!, me and my family are planning on visiting Disney this summer, my two children’s are ages 6 and 11, but I think that my 11 year old son will be to old to enjoy Disney. Please help
Yoshie, literally tens of millions of 11 year olds have loved Disney, so I wouldn’t worry…
yoshie , my son is turning 12 on Friday and he can’t wait to go on his 6th trip in November! This is a place that is fun for all ages! No worries your son will have a blast!
Hello and thanks for all the info! I will be going in the fall with my 11 year old son. I have a bad back and can’t go on the thrill rides. He’s old enough to want to go on them but yough enough to feel anxious separated from me if he has to spend the whole wait time in the queue’s with crowds and strangers. Everything will be unfamiliar to both of us, having not been there before. Will I be able to go in the lines with him and then go wait to meet him after he gets off the ride? Is there anything I need to do or anyone to inform to be able to do this? Will it vary depending on the ride-like a roller coaster vs tower of terror? We will be doing the Universal parks also, so I have the same question about those, in case you know, or could suggest who to checkb with. Thank you so much!
Katie, I don’t know about Universal, nor can I think of anyone who answers questions. At WDW you will be able to get quite close to the boarding area. Just tell the cast members as you enter the ride your intention…
Dave,
My wife and I will be taking our 3 1/2 year old to DW in October. He is about 40 inches on the money. I know he absolutely love MK and he is infatuated with Toy story, Cars, and many other Disney characters. I have had people say it’s too early but it won’t be our last trip. Heck, I’m even excited just as much as he is. My question to you, should we stay at a monorail hotel for convienence or go for the art of animation hotel due to the characters and lively rooms. Yes, I know this trip is for him but I also usually only stay at 4-5 star hotels due to service quality and accommodations. What are your thoughts on this and thank you in advance for your suggestions! Have a great day.
Chris, if it’s not your only trip, then age doesn’t matter, so I’m with you! On the hotel question, he will grow out of his infatuation with Toy Story and Cars, so why not luxuriate in it now at Art of Animation? If you are there long enough to make the hassle worth it, you can also stay in two hotels–start in one, then shift to another.
i have 2 boys 11 and 14 where should i go magic kingdon or epcot universal studio please let me know is hotel which area close to magic kingdom or epcot, universal studio thanks please asap i already book flight mar9-mar11 2015
Anh, Universal is a completely separate park, miles away. You would go there if the boys like thrill rides or Harry Potter. You’d wnat 2-3 days. The best expensive hotel choice for you is Royal Pacific, the best less expensive Cabana Bay.
Disney World has 4 parks and it take 6+ days to see all of its best. Its 4 parks are Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. It’s best to spend 2 days at Magic Kingdom, and then pick from the rest depending on time.
For my Disney World hotel recommendations by price class, see this
i forgot any commet about 3star to 5star hotel name area close to epcot, hollywood studio or shuttle bus or walk to thanks
Anh, All the Disney-owned hotels have transport to all the DInsey parks
Hi Dave- Great site! Question…we’re thinking of planning a trip to Disney later this year, oct/nov-ish maybe. We were gifted a time share from my in-laws so the hotel would be paid for and we wouldnt be going with any strict expectations. My daughter will be 5 at that point (and is totally princess crazed!), and my youngest daughter will be a few month over 2, but she keeps up with her big sis remarkably well. I know my youngest wont remember this trip obviously (and I believe she’s free at the parks if she’s under 3, correct?) but will she at least be able to go on some of the rides with us (ie, its a small world, dumbo, etc), obviously with us holding her? We’ll likely be hitting most of the “little kid” rides anyway with my smaller 5 yr old. I’ve been to disney with other family members, but before having my own kids I never really paid attention to the ride requirements! Do you suggest waiting another few years, or just going anyway with the “we’ll see what we see” approach (with the full intention of going back in a few years as well). Do you think it will be worth it, or a recipe for disaster? While we dont need to see EVERYthing or have a strict itinerary…I do still want them both to have fun. Is there enough for both the 2 and 5 yr old to do/enjoy? (PS- as a plus, we will have in-laws with us on the trip if the little one can’t make it the whole day!) Thoughts?
Maria, the experience of a five year old is different than that of an older (e.g. 8) child, as things seem “realer”–that’s really Mickey, that’s really Belle, etc. It can be quite wonderful.
The 2 year old (yes, no charge) will be able to join you on anything appropriate for the 5 year old.
Aim for a couple of mornings, and afternoon (for the 3p parade) and an evening (for the evening parade and fireworks, or the Halloween Party) at the Magic Kingdom, spread over at least three full days.
At that age, there may also be enough for a half day at each of the other 3 parks–but view that as optional.
I don’t have itineraries for such young kids in this site, but you can find them in my book.
hi Dave,
Just wanted to say congratulations on such a wonderfully informative site for anyone who plans to visit WDW. For those of us based a long way away – Australia – it’s a major commitment and one where you want every moment to be special and remembered by all the family – especially the little ones. Your site certainly helps make that possible.
Thanks again for your efforts and best wishes
Thanks!!!
Hi there,
This will be our 6th time going but this year in Sept. We may be bringing the grandson with which will be 9months old. Yes I know crazy!! What are your thoughts on rides that he will be able to sit on laps for? I guess I never paid attention since my daughter was 4 when we first went. Like Winnie the pooh ride? Those types of rides.
Thank you
Lisa, there’s lots!
hello! Planning on visiting end of October with 3 kids – my big worry is youngest is going to be 4 but is just under the 1m height at mo. Is she not going to be able to go on a lot? Also, we going for 2 weeks & was looking at combo tickets WDW & Orlando but a friend has said we won’t fit in doing both? What parks & their order do you recommend?
Hi we’re looking at visiting wdw next April with our 8 year old twins…. Maybe 5 days in total.
Can you recommend how / where I start planning this: accommodation ( ideally close to all parks ) tickets etc…. For parks ( think we probably won’t do Epcot so just the other 3.
Is 5 days realistic ( were unlikely to visit again )…. Thanks.
See this: https://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/when-your-plans-need-to-be-firm/
I disagree with your premise that being tall enough for all the rides will allow a child to “fully enjoy” Disney. I think there are trade off at any age. If you wait until your kids are tweens or teens to go to Disney they will likly be too old to enjoy many unique aspect of Disney. A three year old is going to be far more impressed by rides like Small World and Peter Pan, getting Mickey’s autograph or dining with a Princess than a 13 year old.
Frankly if you don’t care about the Disney magic and only care about thrill rides you might be better off going to Universal or your nearest Six Flaggs.
Anna, of course. The question is if a family can afford to go only once, when will they get the best total experience? Certainly not at three lol. And being 48 inches tall does not mean being a teenager, I think…
[…] Yourfirstvisit.net says,”If this is your kids only childhood visit, as of your arrival at Disney World, your youngest child should be 8 0r 9 or older and your shortest child should be at least 48″ tall.” I don’t think these rules are hard and fast. I think it depends on the individual child. And most importantly you need to be very realistic about what you plan to ride and your overall day. […]
Hi.. thanks for all the information. This will be my first trip to Disney with my children. We will go back but it will most likely be 3-4 years. We are planning to go in April 2017. I will have a 4,9,13 on the trip. My soon to be 4 year old is on the smaller size, he only weights 30lbs. Do you think he will enjoy Disney with his siblings being that he is so small and might be able to ride on all of the rides?
Ashley, first most of April 2017 will be lousy. I’ll be publishing more on this soon–maybe as soon as Sunday or Monday, but I’m not seeing a good week that month other than 4/22 and later.
Second, see this.
I love this site. My family has never been on vacation for more than 3 days and only a couple hour drive away. We have been waiting and saving to take my daughter to Disney World. She is 1/4 inch short right now (no shoes on which seems a safer measurement) and we were hoping for a trip next summer. Normally our trips are to Kings Island a few hours from home. Just for an idea, would you be able to tell me how intense Disney roller coasters compare to something like the Vortex which she’s had her sights on for 3 years?
Hi Patches and thanks! I have not ridden Vortex, but from its Wikipedia entry it seems much more fierce than most Disney coasters, with only Rock n Rollers Coaster and Expedition Everest in the same class.
Hi, I am going to Disney World next year as well as the cruise. My kids will be 2, 6, and 8, and our cousins who are 4 and 5 will be there as well. Do I leave my 2 year old at home with grandparents or bring him along for the fun? How hindered will the big kids be for rides if we have to accomodate for the 2 year old? Or could he always ride with me on most rides? Thanks for you help! I am conflicted! (My parents will be there as well so we have extra adults!)
Krissy, the 2 year old could ride with you on most rides that the 4 year old could. With your parents there, I think you can do fine…
Hi
I am trying to plan a Disney world trip. My kids are currently 2 7and 10. They will be 3 8 and 11 in January and March. So in 2018 when I thinking about it they will be 4 9and 12. It might be our only trip but if I wait until the youngest is 8 then the oldest will be 16 and in College most likely. The other issue will be my kids get an opportunity in 8th grade to go to Walt Disney world with school. Part of me wants the first time with family. I guess I am wondering what rides my youngest won’t get to do or experiences she will miss or us as parents and older kids will miss due to her age and height.
Nicole, see this for what the 4 year old will miss–the top row. The best way to handle this is at time to split up, with one parent with the 4 year old and another with the older kids.
I really enjoy and find this site helpful, but on this issue I have a different opinion. I think the perfect Disney window is between ages 3 and 7. There is truly something magical about this time. The wonder and belief a child still has at this young age is probably lost by the time you recommend they go. It is that wonder that makes Disney the most magical and I’d hate for a family to miss out on that based on the advice offered here. If I could only bring my child once, it would probably be around the age of 5.
I think one aspect to consider would be the child’s ability to ride all the rides and to some that may be the most important factor, but that (and maturity) seem to be the only thing you’re considering. There is so much more than just being tall enough to ride all the rides–most 5-year-olds will be tall enough to do nearly everything, except the super thrill rides, anyway. I really don’t think Disney is about the rides and there is so much to do that most people won’t get to every single attraction anyway. Just wanted to offer another point of view. Thank you for all the great information to be found on this site.
Thanks, Caitlin, for your thoughtful comment!
Caitlin,
I completely agree with you. A lot of what Disney does uniquely really well is best appreciated by younger children. There are plenty of high thrills roller coasters at amusement parks all over the place.
By the time a child (and any younger siblings they might have) is old enough for the big thrill rides they are probably too old to care about things like meeting characters, or being blown away by a REAL CASTLE. The dark rides like Small World and Peter Pan are nice as an adult or big kid, but truly magical for a preschooler.
Anna, great points. My thoughts about age have next to nothing to do with “thrill” rides, for which most kids will be tall enough by the time they are 4 or so, but rather the sophistication of much of the best of Disney World, which was designed not for kids, but rather adults and kids. Kids of any age can enjoy the place. But if kids can go only once, my advice is 8 or older.
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